Child Passenger Safety Week

Every day in Colorado, parents and caregivers travel with children in their vehicles. While some children are buckled in properly — many are not, if they are buckled up at all. Car crashes are a leading cause of death in children under 13, but many of these tragedies can be prevented. This week is national Child Passenger Safety Week, and Car Seats Colorado is offering tips and reminding parents to make sure their children are riding safely at all times.

“Every 32 seconds, a child is involved in a car crash,” said Colorado State Patrol (CSP) Trooper Tim Sutherland, Child Passenger Safety Coordinator for Car Seats Colorado, a partnership between CSP and the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT). “This is exactly why parents need to be extra vigilant when it comes to car seat safety and protecting their children.”

According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), 59 percent of car seats are not used correctly, putting millions of children at severe risk of injury or death. Child Passenger Safety Week aims to raise awareness about child passenger safety laws and the importance of properly using car seats, booster seats and seat belts.

Car Seats Colorado encourages parents and caregivers to have their car seat checked by a certified technician to ensure proper installation and fit. Car Seats Colorado has partnered with the Denver Department of Transportation and Infrastructure (DOTI) and Swedish Medical Center to host numerous virtual events offering opportunities for parents to learn more about proper car seat use. Visit Swedish Medical Center’s events calendar at https://swedishhospital.com/calendar to register.

“Our open Q&A and guided discussions about child passenger safety, hosted by certified car seat technicians, is an opportunity for parents to have all their questions answered, put their fears to rest and avoid mistakes that might endanger the safety of their child,” said Swedish Medical Center Injury Prevention Coordinator, Melanie Wuzzardo.

You can also find a car seat inspection location near you that will inspect your car seat for free by visiting
www.nhtsa.gov/equipment/car-seats-and-booster-seats#installation-help-inspection.

Factors contributing to improperly restrained children include:

- an incorrectly installed car seat,

- use of a car seat that does not fit the child based on their size and development,

- not properly securing the harness or seat belt,

- and moving a child out of a booster seat too soon.

Our Government

White House

Statement from President Donald Trump on the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg: “Today, our Nation mourns the loss of a titan of the law. Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg served more than 27 years as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court of the United States—notably just the second woman to be appointed to the Court. She was a loving wife to her late husband, Martin, and a dedicated mother to her two children.”

Colorado Governor

Governor Jared Polis statement on the passing of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg: “Today Coloradans and our nation mourn the loss of a titan. We have lost a fearless advocate for women and families and someone who never stopped working toward greater equality for all in the eyes of the law. I am deeply saddened by the passing of Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg. She spent her incredible career giving a voice to the voiceless and standing up for what is right. Her words and her legacy will live on in all those she has inspired. We will forever be grateful for her contributions to making our country a better place.”

Denver Mayor

Mayor Michael B. Hancock today submitted his 2021 budget proposal to City Council. To brace the city for the ongoing uncertainty in the economy, the 2021 budget proposal makes strategic cuts to most agencies, but expands budgets for programs to support the growing need for social services.

“My 2021 budget is fiscally responsible and equitable. It closes our $190 million budget gap without leaving our most vulnerable behind,” Mayor Hancock said.